DINING
Finding a good meal during your stay in Eureka Springs will not be a
problem. Everything from homestyle cooking to white table cloth dining is
available. Bavarian Inn, Catfish Cabin, Bubba's, Lucky Dragon, Pancake's
Family Restaurant, and Myrtie Mae1s are just a few of the restaurants in and
around Eureka Springs.
I personally recommend Ermilio's which offers Italian
Home Cooking in a unique setting. Try the hand-rolled home-made meatballs or
the spicy Italian sausage. Finish your meal with a traditional Italian
dessert like the teramisu, a house specialty. Enjoy a quick lunch or
leisurely dinner at the Local Flavor Cafe downtown. Sit on the outside deck
and do a little people watching while you enjoy your meal. For a special
dining experience take a lunch or dinner ride on the Eureka Springs and
North Arkansas Railway. Elegant dining and gourmet cuisine are offered in
the Eurekan Dining Car. The Lunch train runs from May 1 to October 30 and
the Dinner train runs from April 10 to October 30. The four and one-half
mile round trip takes about one hour.
SHOPPING
Curative waters first brought visitors to Eureka Springs now they come for
the variety of shops in the downtown district. The winding , narrow streets
downtown, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in
America, are lined with unique shops offering a wide variety of merchandise.
Clothing, jewelry, woodcrafts, leather goods, brass, glass, fine art
galleries, folk arts, and souvenirs are available in downtown Eureka
Springs. Fudge shops and cheesecake bakers offer treats for weary husbands.
Plan your shopping trip by taking a ride on the Eureka Springs Trolley. Ride
to the top of Spring Street and stroll back down past the many shops.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
One of the main attractions in Eureka Springs besides the unique downtown is
The Great Passion Play. The drama of the Greatest Story Ever Told unfolds in
a 4,100 seat amphitheater under the stars. Professional quality staging,
music, lighting, and sound bring the Bible story to life. The Great Passion
Play has been voted one of the top 100 events in North America. Show dates
begin April 30 and run through October 30. While you are picking up your
tickets at the Passion Play complex visit the Christ of the Ozarks statue.
The 67-foot tall statue is the largest Christ memorial statue in the U.S.
You can also visit the Bible Museum and the Sacred Arts Center.
Boating and fishing are available at nearby Beaver Lake. The clean, clear
water at Beaver Lake has attracted scuba divers for years. Striped bass,
black bass, walleye, brown trout and rainbow trout lure fisherman from
around the country to Beaver Lake and nearby rivers. Eagle watching is a
popular pastime at Beaver Lake during the winter months. Take a leisurely
canoe trip on one of the scenic rivers around Eureka Springs. White River,
Kings River, and the Buffalo National River are excellent for floating.
Guide services are available.
Arkansas and Missouri are known for their many caves and there are several
in the Eureka Springs area. Onyx Cave is only six miles east of town. A
3-minute tour through this cave will take you by Onyx Elephant, the Friendly
Dragon, and the Witches Fireplace. Onyx Cave is open throughout the year.
Mystic Caverns, War Eagle Caverns, and Cosmic Caverns are close to town on
Highway 62.
A fun way to view the Ozark Mountains is on horseback. Take one of the many
guided trail rides offered by stables in the Eureka Springs area. Steve's
Stables on Pond Mountain offer trail rides on the highest mountaintop in the
county. Call ahead for availability and prices.
No trip would be complete without enjoying some music, Ozark Mountain style.
There are several music and comedy shows in the area. My favorite is the
Pine Mountain Jamboree. This family show has something for every musical
taste from country to Cajun. The Drennon family has been making music in the
Ozarks for over 30 years. If you have time for more shopping the Pine
Mountain Village is next to the theater.
For more information about Eureka Springs go to www.eurekaspringschamber.com
or www.eurekasprings.org.
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